Penguins News

Lists: Nine Prospects to Watch

With development camp this week here's a look at the nine best prospects in the Penguins organization (in alphabetical order).

Teddy Blueger

The second-round draft selection from 2012 produced six goals in his freshman season at Minnesota State. Latvia’s native son has a high hockey IQ and ability to distribute and make plays from center.

Nick D'Agostino

Cornell’s co-captain continued to be one of the best point-tallying defensemen in the nation during his senior season. Since being drafted in 2008, he has developed into a solid two-way player with a devastating shot from the point.

Brian Dumolin

The Jordan Staal-trade acquisition that produced a solid 73-game campaign in his first pro season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The former College Player of the Year finalist will bring great size and good puck movement to the Pens’ defense.

Jake Guentzel

Showed flashes of elite goal-scoring ability, including a 21-game point streak to finish his Rookie of the Year campaign in the USHL. The creative shooter will join fellow Penguins prospect Josh Archibald at Nebraska-Omaha this fall.

The defenseman joined fellow prospect Olli Maatta to form a strong defensive group for the London Knights. The second-round pick in 2011 led by example as London’s captain and will make the leap to the AHL this upcoming season.

Tristan Jarry

The Penguins’ top draft choice this year offers a great intelligence for the goaltender position. Jarry was ranked No. 3 among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting and tied for second-most shutouts in the WHL despite sharing starter duties.

The Germany native showed off his offensive skills by scoring 39 goals two seasons ago in his first North American season with Windsor of the WHL in 2010-11. His upper-body injury last December cut short his pro debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Last year’s 22nd-overall pick impressed in his two years in the Ontario Hockey League. The two-way defenseman led the team’s defensemen in scoring both seasons (32 points in 2011-12; 38 in ’12-13). Maatta is one of the Penguins’ best all-around defense prospects even at 18 years old.

Derrick Pouilot

Acquired in the Jordan Staal trade as the 8th overall pick, he could be a true force moving the puck into the offensive zone. Pouliot’s great ice vision as a defenseman gives him the opportunity to join Kris Letang at the point on future power play units.